Regulation Civil War Issue Eagle Drum

Regulation Civil War Issue Eagle Drum – Eagle motif drums were used by the army and various state militias starting in the 18^th century; in the 1840s, the U.S. Army started to regulate the specific designs of eagle drums used by Federal troops, thereby shifting away from the use of individually designed eagle drums to the use of distinctly more uniform eagle motifs. During the Civil War, eagle drums became the standard Federal issue drum for Union Army bands and field musicians; several contractors constructed these drums during the war years.

This drum remains in overall excellent condition – the polychrome painted eagle and additional patriotic decorative elements remain vivid; the flesh hoops retain their red hue; the bent maple body of the drum is in great condition and displays a significant, brass tack pattern; viewing into the sound hole, the 1990 drum restorer’s label is visible; the drum was re-roped correctly, with what appears to be hemp; reproduction tension ears were added in the 1990s, as were both drum heads; gut snares were added during the restoration process. The drum appears to be its original size and not cut down – Height: 16.75”; Diameter – 16.5”. Overall, this is a fine example of a pre-Civil War to Civil War period, Federal Regulation eagle drum that retains its original decorative, patriotic motif paint, tack pattern, height and diameter.